Police have warned the Asian community not to turn “vigilante” after growing fears about violent robbers targeting families for gold.

Asian communities in Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury and Batley feel under siege after five reported raids on homes.

In one, a couple in their 80s were threatened and robbed in their Savile Town home.

Fuelled by what police claim is “misinformation” on social media, the Asian community is on high alert for suspicious behaviour in their streets.

That resulted in strangers parked up in Charles Street, Ravensthorpe, on Thursday night being confronted by residents.

As reported in the Examiner, the driver of a Vauxhall Insignia sped off ploughing into five people and smashing into the side of a parked car. One youth needed hospital treatment.

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The driver abandoned his car and was chased by a mob to the Ravensthorpe Shopping Park where he holed up in the toilets at the Subway store, waiting until police came to arrest him.

An angry mob of up to 150 gathered outside while three police officers struggled to keep order.

Police have attended two community meetings to quell fears and insist that the threat has been blown out of proportion, much by wrong information circulated instantly on WhatsApp.

Now police have written a strongly-worded letter, insisting they are doing all they can to end the raids.

It is understood there have been five since September and at least eight arrests have been made.

In the letter, signed by Insp Mohammed Rauf, police said some people were going too far.

Insp Rauf wrote: “Unfortunately, and very sadly, a number of people within our community have decided to take it upon themselves to try and police their local streets which is raising concerns and fears unnecessarily and have resulted in at least two serious incidents.

“We ask that this behaviour cease immediately as it is only causing harm to the wider community.

“We have numerous resources working during the day and into the night all of whom will be patrolling the streets, working with our communities and gathering any information or intelligence that you may have.

“Policing the streets of Dewsbury and Batley is the preserve of the police and we cannot allow individuals to take on this role and in effect act as vigilantes.

“We know our communities do not want this and cannot and will not allow this to continue.”

Read more: Man hid in Subway toilet to escape 150-strong crowd after five hit by car

Insp Rauf also warned against spreading rumour, causing unrest.

He added: “We are aware of a large amount of information being shared by the community on social networks.

“A lot of this information is not reaching the police and is not being verified as being correct therefore unnecessarily raising fear and confusion within our communities.

“We are aware that a number of members of the public have circulated names and/or images of people they believe could be potential suspects online on social media websites.

“While we appreciate that people are trying to help, this could actually seriously harm the police investigation and hamper any prosecution case further down the line.”

Police say information should be given to the force via 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.